A Journey from Hirtshals to Iceland via the Faroe Islands: The Smyril Line Experience

*A typical stunning cliff when driving past Faroe Islands*

If you are planning a trip to Iceland, you might want to explore the option of embarking on a scenic journey aboard the Smyril Line ferry. This ferry route begins its voyage in Hirtshals, Denmark, and sails all the way to Seyðisfjörður, Iceland, offering travelers the opportunity to enjoy a captivating stopover in the enchanting Faroe Islands along the way. It takes three days to sail during the autumn and spring and two days during the summer. The first ferry to Iceland in the spring of 2024 went on in the middle of March. Funny enough, we were on it!

You also have the option to stop in the Faroe Islands for a week (which we did in March!) or two, and then continue the journey to Iceland. We highly recommend this option, especially if you travel with your own car. Experiencing the Faroe Islands on the way to Iceland is truly legendary. If you choose the ferry option and are traveling by camper, we suggest booking at least a month for this trip.

Getting Started: Travel to Hirtshals

Hirtshals Ferry Terminal: The journey begins at the Hirtshals ferry terminal. If you're driving, follow the E39 highway and look for signs to the Smyril Line terminal at Containerkajen 4. For public transport, there are train connections from Aalborg to Hirtshals via Hjørring, with a local bus service available between the Hirtshals train station and the ferry terminal, or you can walk for about a 30-35 minute from the town center.

Taking Your Car Onboard

By bringing your own camper car to Iceland, you can bring all the stuff you want as well as cut both costs for hiring a car and pay for expensive hotels. And you are can roam completely free of course!

Car Onboard: Be aware that the price varies significantly depending on your car’s size. Cars higher than 2.5 meters cost double compared to those below 2.5 meters. The lowest price is for cars below 1.9 meters height. For instance, our Mercedes Vito, which is just 1 cm too high, falls into a higher price category. Prices can be as high as 3000 euros one way for a big camper during summer.

Our Advice: Subscribe to the Smyril Line newsletter for affordable ticket prices. We got our summer tickets on Black Friday, allowing us to bring our large camper for 1500 euros one way for four people.

We also traveled to the Faroe Islands in winter with the Mercedes Vito camper and paid 450 euros for both ways. Be aware that ticket changes can be expensive. We traveled three times (February, March, and June) and decided to stop over in the Faroe Islands. Changing the original direct ticket to include this stop cost an additional 100 euros due to processing fees.

Onboard the MS Norröna

Accommodations: MS Norröna offers a range of cabins from simple couchettes to luxurious sea-view suites. Note that cabin fees are added to the ticket price, which can be high if you want your own cabin. Shared cabins, located under the car deck, weren't an option for us due to the Atlantic Ocean's sometimes rough weather.

Dining: Enjoy a variety of dining options. The Nóatún cafeteria offers casual meals with a simple buffet option, which can be bought onboard. Skansagarður provides a buffet experience, though it's expensive (around 50 euros per adult). For a more upscale dining experience, visit the Munkastova restaurant. We preferred bringing our own food and occasionally trying the Nóatún buffet.

Fitness: There is a fitness room with both endurance and strench machines., it’s all the way down on first level. And down there, if

Activities: Our favorites were the hot tubs (bookable at reception for 200 DKK), the gym (open from 7 AM to 7 PM), and the cozy library. There's also a cinema showing new films and an area for smaller kids in the cafeteria. Don't miss the tax-free shop for essentials and fun items like LUNDI beer.

Pool: There is also a pool (with more restricted opening times) next to the fitness room on deck 1.

The Journey: Hirtshals to Iceland via the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands Stopover: The ferry stops in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, for a few hours, allowing you to explore the charming town and even take a bus ride (all city buses are free).

Most Beautiful Passage: Departing from the Faroe Islands towards Iceland, the ferry travels through the most beautiful passage in the world, close to Kalsoy. Dress warmly and spend 1-2 hours outside to enjoy this stunning view.

Arrival in Iceland: After leaving the Faroe Islands, the ferry heads towards Seyðisfjörður, Iceland. It takes about an hour or two to unload and pass through customs. Seyðisfjörður, known for its colorful houses and beautiful surroundings, offers a warm welcome. From here, you can explore the Eastfjords or head towards Egilsstaðir, connected by the scenic Fjarðarheiði mountain pass.

Practical Tips

Sea Sickness: Bring medicine for sea sickness, as the ride can be bumpy. Pills are also available at the reception.
Food and Water: To save money, bring your own food and water. We suggest packing pre-made salads and poke bowls.
Camper Watching: The MS Norröna can accommodate up to 800 cars and 1482 passengers, making it fun to see the variety of campers others are traveling in. Some are more simple and affordable, and some are fully equipped expedition trucks that seems to survice the end of the world!

*Offical photo of Smyrlil Line: “Norrøna” (source: smyrilline.com)*

For more information and to book your trip, visit the Smyril Line website. This is not an advertisement, just our own experience and useful information we wanted to share.

Iceland by Ferry